[Neuroprotection in perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Effective treatment and future perspectives]

The aim of this paper is to review the results of recent clinical studies of some therapies that have demonstrated a neuroprotective effect in perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and to present the future perspectives of other clinical and basic research investigations. THERAPIES WITH DEMONSTRATED CLINICAL EFFICACY: ALLOPURINOL: It blocks the production of free radicals following hypoxia-ischemia. In a recent study, infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome treated with allopurinol, but not those with other congenital cardiopathies, had significantly less number of complications than controls, including death, seizures, coma or cardiac events.

In another recent study, newborns with HIE treated with morphine or phentanyl, had less severe brain damage on MRI and a better neurological outcome. HYPOTHERMIA: Both local (head cooling) or systemic (whole body) hypothermia have a neuroprotective effect in selected newborns with HIE.

ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS: They have multiple mechanisms of action that can block the biochemical cascade of neuronal damage in HIE. OTHER THERAPEUTIC MODALITIES: Among them the following should be emphasized: combined neuroprotective treatments, growth factors, genetic therapies, stem cell transplant, and neuroprotective immunization. In conclusion, a better knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of HIE pathogenesis and better clinical studies of neuroprotective therapies will open new possibilities aplicable to clinical practice. These advances will undoubtedly improve the prognosis of newborns with HIE.